The National tribune., 1887-07-28

N. Y. The utmost quiet enjoined on the men
during the night"
The "raid" which followed is epitOmized
by Appleton's Annual Cyclopedia for 1863.
The object OF this article and extracts from my
diary are made with a view OF showing the fail
ure Of the movement from irresolutiOn and
lack Of vigor on the part Of Gen. Stoneman.
After the delay Of the first two or three days
the opportunity was lost, at least 10 leader
who did not possess the character 10 overcome
Obstacles. Two years later this same corps was
led by General who was not easily swerved
by obstacles, aud as n result the cavalry shone
out brightly in the closing scenes Of Lees sur
render
Obstacles seemingly insurmountable TO a
less resolute commander blocked the way of
Gen. Sheridan in the attempt 30 head of the
retroating Coufederatcs under Gen Lee at APP
pomattox; but il was under just such circum-
stances that Gen. Sheridan demonstrated
HIS FITNESS FOR COMMAND,
and justified the high esteem Of his troops and
Of his countrymen.
OF the Stoneman Raid" the Annual Cyclic
pedia before referred TO, says:
The movements Of the cavalry force. under Gen.
Stoneman, do not appear 10 have produced any adj
vantage in favor of Gen. Hooker. As has been
stated, the storms which ensucd prevented active
movements 10y Gen. Stoneman until the 29lh of
April. ON that day he crossed at kelly's Ford.
The division OF Gen. Avcrell moved 10 the Orange
Il Alexandria Railroad and encountered two regi-
menis Of the enemy, who retired toward Gordons
vile. Thence he proceeded 10 Cupeper and dis
persed a force of the rebels there capturing their
rearguard and sCizng large amount OF flour, salt
and bacon. The enemy were pursued by way OF
Cedar Mountain toward the Rapidan. Here he re-
oeived dispatch from Gen. Stoneman, desiring
him 10
PUSH THE ENEMY
as vigorously possible and keep him occupied.
On the lst scouting parties were sent up aud down
ON both sides OF the Rapidan ON the pa orders
n IN lain HnnEgT "A
United States Ford at once.
Gen. Stoneman. after crossing at Kelly's Ford
moved the main body OF his command across Flesh
mans Creek and cnCamped for the night in an
open field. On the next day, the 30, Gen Buford
crossed the Rapidan two miles below Raccoon
Ford, aud drove body Of infantry from the ford
where Gen. Gregg crossed later in the day. A
Lieutenant and IL priyatcs OF an artillery company
were captured here. At night the whole force
bivouacked one mile from the river.
On the next day the march was commenced. and
nj Orange Spring force of the enemy approaching
10y railroad barely escaped capture. That night
the command encamped at Greenwood one mile
from Louise Courthouse. through which the Vir-
glnia Central Railroad passes connecting Gordons-
vile with Richmond. On the next day. the "a Of
May, a squadron of the 10Th n ", under Col. lr-
vine, was sent five miles above the town, and an-
other of the same regiment. under Maj. Avery, was
sent the same distance below,
TO DESTROY THE TRACK
OF the road while Col Fitzpatrick took possession
OF the town. The track was torn up for some dis
tance the telegraph cut, and some eommissary
stores seized In the afternoon the command
moved TO Thompson's -Four Corners. From this
place as headquarters several expeditions were
sent out On the next morning Col. Wyndham
proceeded 10 Columbia, on the James River, where
the Lynchburg * Richmond Canal crosses the
river.
An unsuccessful attempt was made 10 destroy
the aqueducL Five locks were injured; three
canal-boats, loaded with oommissary stores, and
five bridges were burned and the canal-Ock cut in
several places. large quantity Of commissary
stores and medicines IN the town We're also de-
stTOyed. Another detachment, under Capt. Drum
mond, OF the 9Th Cav, destroyed the bridge over
the James River at Ccnieryille.
Other small parties were sent out in different
directions, and some skirmishing took place with
small parties OF the enemy At the same time a
force, consisting Of the 10Th y. Y. and lst Me. with
two pieces Of artillery, was sent out under Gen.
Gregg 90 destroy the railroad bridge at Ashland,
while Col. Fitzpatrick. with the Harris Light and
18th III, Lieut.-Col. Davis. were TO 20 between
Ashland and Richmond. destroying the railroad,
bridges, etc. Gen. Gregg
DESTROYED THE BRIDGE
across the South Anna on the road from Columbia
10 spottsylvania; thence he moved east aud de-
stroyed the road 60 Beaver Dam Station. He then
! turned north TO the Richmond and Gordonsyille
turnpike, sending out detachment 10 burn the
Ground Squirrel bridge. That night he bivouacked
! eight miles from Ashland. A detachment sent out
60 burn the bridge at Ashland found il too strongly
| however, were destroyed Leaving Col. KilpRt-
| rick and Licut.-Col. Davis Gen. Gregg returned
| on the next day TO Gen. Stoncman. On the night
| OF the sth Gen. Gregg moved near Yanceyville,
and was followed the next day by Gen. Stonemau
ana Gen. Buford's command. On tlle 9Th the ret
coon Ford, on the Rapidan the command arrived
/ at keily's Eord. the North Fork